Tractor Supply slowly progressing

August 22, 2014

LAKE PLACID - A public hearing was held Wednesday during the North Elba-Lake Placid Joint Review board meeting to discuss the Tractor Supply building in Ray Brook. It received positive comment from some in the audience, but the plan was not yet approved.

Cindy Garso, of North Woods Engineering, went over nearly every detail of the project for the public and the North Elba-Lake Placid Joint Review Board.

During the public comment session, there were no negative remarks about the building. Ed Yanchitis, owner of Tail o' the Pup in Ray Brook, had nothing but positive things to say about the business planning to invest there.

Yanchitis said the company investing in Ray Brook and employing people there is a good thing.

"I think that anybody that's going to come in and invest money, as a business guy, I am all for it," Yanchitis said.

Caroline Post of Ray Brook asked the developer if the business is expected to be successful based on an economic study of the area.

Chris Kettler, of DMK Development, said the store is expected to receive plenty of business. The peak weekday business for the Tractor Supply would be 20 to 40 cars per hour and the peak weekend business would be 30 to 50 cars per hour, he said. Kettler said those numbers are just for a peak hour, which is the busiest the store would likely be. More often, the store would have less traffic, he said.

The building will cost $1.8 million to $2.2 million to build, according to Kettler. It will be located next to the High Peaks Animal Hospital. The building is planned to be 172 feet from the roadway. The store would be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

DMK Development, the building developer, originally hoped to begin construction this summer, but Kettler said it looks like now, if approved, they will need to begin after the winter. Tractor Supply will lease the building from DMK Development for a period of 15 years.

The town board did not approve the project Wednesday, but instead made a few more suggestions. Bill Hurley, president of the joint review board, said that parking and lighting were two loose ends the developer should modify for the next meeting. The developer planned the parking lot to have 63 parking spaces, which the town board said was too many. The board also requested more information about the building's lighting, in particular, about the business' plans for lighting at night.

"I think we've done well to give them the information they needed," Kettler said after the meeting. "We're closer than we ever have been."

Hurley said the developer is addressing any issue the board has brought to their attention.

"It's fair to say the applicant and board are addressing any issues and are coming up with positive solutions," Hurley said.

The developer has been seeking approval from the town board since December. They also need approval from the state Adirondack Park Agency before construction can start.

Tractor Supply is a farm store chain that sells a number of different things including agricultural, home improvement, lawn, livestock and pet care products.